Thomas Gavin Monaghan

Thomas G. Monaghan passed away peacefully on August 29, 2016 surrounded by family after a brief illness. Everyone has a great story to tell about “Sport”. This painter, lover of jelly beans, pancakes and milkshakes loved his family and we loved him. Born Thomas G. “Pete” Monaghan, he was known as “Sport” to one & all. Born to John P and Edna Moran Monaghan February 27, 1923, he attended Gesu Catholic grade school where he was an altar boy there and at the nearby Visitation Convent. He attended Central Catholic but graduated from DeVilbiss High School in 1942. A veteran of the US Navy in World War II, he attended 5 diesel schools at Iowa State University for his assignment as a 1st Class Motor Machinist with the 66th YMS 338 Minesweeper. He sailed the Pacific to Hawaii and China and made several trips through the Panama Canal. After the war he and his father started Monaghan Burial Vault Co. and later Buckeye Concrete Step Co. They were in business until 1977 when the businesses were destroyed by a fire. He subsequently worked for Toledo Tank, Toledo Metal Fabricators, Merce Industries & Great Lakes Industrial Contractors. Pete married Mary E. Davies in 1955, they were married until her death in 1988. In 1991 he married Betty Cosgrove Follas, they were married until her death in 2002. Pete and Mary had four children and were very involved in their education and activities. For St. Francis de Sales High he was on the Board of the Brisson Society and Past Chairman of Funarama . He was also active in the Boy Scouts of America with Troop 36 at St. Pius School and Troop 29 at First Congregational Church. He was a lifetime parishioner of Gesu. a member of the University of Toledo Rocket Club, Past President of the Ohio Burial Vault Association, Joseph Diehn VFW Post, Toledo Museum of Art and The Toledo Zoo. In his retirement “Sport” discovered a hidden talent for painting, taking lessons at the Sylvania Senior Center. There he also met his current love, Verena Delauter. They enjoyed many activities together and made lots of friends. Sport has had his art work on display both at the Sylvania Senior Center and The Toledo Museum of Art. Many friends have been recipients of his beautiful paintings. Surviving are Verena Delauter, sisters Ann (Edwin) Nazar & Patricia (Thomas) Tillman, sons Michael (Randi), Peter (Shawna) of Dublin, OH & David (Ruth) of Cincinnati, OH & daughter Maureen Thomas. Grandchildren Megan (Aaron), Marybeth (Jeff), Claire, Andrew, Adam, Katie, Brooke, Kristi, Morgan, Matt and Gavin. Visitation will be at Gesu Catholic Church at 9:30 on Friday, September 2 with Mass at 11:00. Interment at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers , donations may be made to St Francis de Sales High School or St Ursula Academy.

Thomas Gavin Monaghan

February 27, 1923 - August 29, 2016